The Georgian packaging materials sector continues to grow. Foreign trade data have revealed that in 9 months of this year, exports increased by $11.4 million annually to $47.8 million, which is a 31.47% increase. During the reporting period, most of the packaging materials - paper cardboard packaging - worth $27 million was exported.

The Georgian packaging materials are mainly sold in neighboring states. The top five exporting countries include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Poland, Bulgaria and Russia.

Top five countries by export:

Azerbaijan - $31,665,970

Armenia - $5,432,060

Poland - $2,634,120 (bags)

Bulgaria - $1,863,440 (paper-cardboard packaging)

Russia - $1,759,340

It is also noted that in first 9 months of the year, the import of packaging materials into Georgia has also increased. According to January-August data, packaging materials worth more than $161.7 million was imported into the country, which is an annual increase of $7.5 million, or 4.89%. A neighboring Turkey ranks first among the main importing countries, from which products worth more than $57.9 million was imported in 9 months.

Top five countries by import:

Turkey - $57,972,710

Russia - $36,840,340 (of which, 29.5 million - glass bottles)

Armenia - $17,611,640

China - $9,280,220

Iran - $7,553,430.